Colback, 23, has been converted to left-back this season following the return of Danny Rose to parent club Tottenham Hotspur.

The former England Under-20 international, whose current contract expires next summer, has impressed Di Canio this season despite the Black Cats’ lack of ‘good’ results (0-1-2).

Colback is currently in contract talks with the club from the North East, with Di Canio hopeful a deal can be agreed.

“Jack is in negotiations but I hope he is going to sign a new contract because it would be difficult for him to find a better club than Sunderland,” said the Italian.

“I know Jack wasn’t happy in general at the end of last year and I had a chat and told him I don’t want unhappy people here, but he has a big chance this year.

“In my opinion Jack is one of the best few left-backs in the country. He has all the characteristic qualities – he is aggressive, tough and intelligent and he can push forward.

“It depends on him but I’m very satisfied with the way he played in the last few games. He deserves a new contract and he can have a very good future here.”

Colback, who has made 40 appearances in each of the past two seasons for Sunderland, has tallied one assist in four appearances for the Black Cats this term.

Thauvin defends L’OM move

France youth international Florian Thauvin has defended his controversial deadline-day move from Lille OSC to Olympique de Marseille.

Thauvin, who joined Lille in a deal reportedly worth €3.5 million in January, signed for L’OM in a deal worth up to €15 million on transfer deadline-day after impressing at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey this summer.

Many people, particularly Lille supporters, have criticised the 20-year-old ace for his lack of club loyalty, and perhaps rightfully so.

However, Lille — undoubtedly a selling-club over the past few years — are set to make a profit in excess of €10 million on their investment. That is not a bad piece of business.

With that said, Les Dogues’ supporters have the right to be upset; after all, Lille have sold most of their star players, including the likes of Dimitri Payet, Eden Hazard and Moussa Sow, in recent times.

“It was not easy to hear certain things but I don’t want to go back over that,” Thauvin told L’Equipe.

“I will just say that I have joined the club of my heart, with a sporting project that enticed me, and that it is the best solution for me.

“I understand the Lille fans are disappointed and upset but sometimes things happen within a club that are not made public.

“I know what I did and why I did it, I have my reasons but I don’t want to go into it. I am comfortable with what I did and I do not regret it at all.”

Thavin, who scored three goals for winners France at the Under-20 World Cup this summer, bagged 10 goals in 32 Ligue 1 appearances for Bastia last season.

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